by Fiona Faris
They were a few hundred strong, and each member contributed to the overall success of the clan. Gavin folded his arms over his chest and took in the happy families as they began to crowd around for the meal. He was pleased.
As his clan did not have as many able-bodied men as his brother or sister’s, they still shared hunting and farming duties; therefore, it was never a rare sight to see other MacGilles or MacKenzies dining at his table and vice versa.
Tonight was a special night. Milly, his twin, and her husband, Nathan, had come over from their own keep to dine with him and Amelia. They brought their children, now all but grown, and he watched, pleased as the cousins all gathered around each other, catching up and fondly speaking.
“Da!” His second-oldest son, twenty-year-old Liam, shouted across the room. “Come join us, Thomas has a wicked fun game he learned with the cards. Ye’ll like it.”
He smiled at both lads. Thomas was Milly’s youngest, and only a few years younger than Liam. Both boys had a mischievous streak. They reminded Gavin of himself at their age, before he had been hardened by battle and imprisonment. He had loved to joke and make others laugh. It took him a while to get back to himself after his experiences, and he didn’t want to see the boys go through the same. Their humor would most likely get them into trouble as they got older, but for now, it was fun for Gavin to watch them interact.
“I’ll be over in a few moments, lads. Let me speak with yer mothers first.” He waved them off, turning to where Amelia sat deep in conversation with Milly. It was hard for Gavin to believe that many years ago, the two did not see eye to eye; for now, they were the best of friends and true sisters. It warmed his heart to know his family approved of the life he had chosen and the woman he decided to spend it with. Amelia gave him a warm smile and wave, their argument over Aithe from the morning forgotten. His stomach gave a small lurch whenever he thought about Aithe. Gavin loved all his children equally, none more so than the others. But he had had such high hopes for his firstborn. He had built this clan for him, so that his son would have a legacy he could be proud of and grow into something bigger. But he also understood the lad’s need to see battle. He had had that same wanderlust in his own youth, yet with six years nay on gone and no word of Aithe, Gavin feared his boy had suffered a fate worse than his own.
He tried not to think of Aithe lying dead on some field between Scotland and Britain. When the men came through Cadney looking for donations to help further the Jacobite cause, Gavin always gave. Not that he supported the cause of the deaths like some other clan lairds, but because if any of his coin could be used to help feed and clothe those in battle, he hoped he could contribute in some way. He had hoped if someone had come upon his son, hurt or worse, they would see it in their hearts to help his boy like he had hoped his coin had helped theirs. War was just as difficult on those left behind as it was on those who went to battle.
“What are you thinking about, husband?” Amelia broke through his thoughts. He had been staring off into the distance and hadn’t noticed she had left her seat by Milly’s side and approached him. “You look disturbed.”
“Nay not disturbed at all, lass,” he said, slipping an arm around her waist. She was just as bonny now as when he first laid eyes on her all those years ago in Perth. “Just thinking about how our lives have turned out, and how I would nay change any of it for th’ world.”
A disturbance close to the doors took their attention away from each other. It sounded to Gavin as if a fight had broken out. He looked back to where Liam and Thomas sat only to see their places vacant.
“Och,” he said. “What are those troublemakers up tae?”
“You had better go see,” Amelia replied. “Whatever it is, I don’t think it is purely Liam and Thomas.” Gavin had heard of highwaymen and other thieves making their way into safer clan territory to claim livestock and supplies. Since the English had begun tightening the yoke further south, there were more and more Scots willing to turn to crime to survive. Yet, they had not had much trouble this far north.
“Do ye think it’s thieves or traveling men?” Milly asked in a hushed tone as if reading Gavin’s mind. His sister had always been able to think like him.
“I don’t think so,” Amelia responded. “Not this far north, at least. Perhaps it’s someone in trouble?”
Gavin thought it was more likely Amelia was correct, someone could need help. It would be just like Liam to rush to aid. He turned to find Nathan nodding for him to come over, realizing he may need his sister’s husband to go with him as a backup.
“Aye, I see it too, Gavin,” Nathan said, standing and moving toward the entrance to keep. The ruckus grew louder as more and more people left their food to see what the commotion was about.
“Get back, get back, everyone,” Nathan called out as they approached the door to the keep. The small crowd that had gathered started to pull back. Gavin rushed forward, clearing space. A woman was arguing with Liam.
“I need to see the lord of this keep!” she insisted. At once, Gavin recognized her as English, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he moved forward.
“What business do ye have with our laird?” Liam asked, hands on his hips. His sheer size keeping the woman from rushing forward.
“Are you going to let me speak to your laird or not?” The woman shot back, changing her tone to mimic Liam’s brogue. “This is a matter of life and death!” Her long, brown hair was plaited down her back, and she wore a day dress that, even though it was covered in dirt and caked in highland mud, was much too well-made to be of village stock. If Gavin had to guess, he would say this was a wealthy lass. At least she appeared to come from money.
“Aye, I be th’ laird of this keep, and what can we do fer ye lass?” Gavin said, stepping forward and placing a reassuring hand on his son’s shoulder before adding, “Stand back, Liam, let me speak tae th’ lass.”
“You are the Laird?” she asked. It seemed to Gavin all her bluster, and bravery diminished as he approached her. “You are Gavin MacGille?”
“Aye, ’tis me. And who, may I ask, are ye?” The lass knew his name, it could be a trap, but Gavin had no perceived enemies. She looked up at him with golden eyes. He had never seen eyes that shade before. The lass could not have been more than five and twenty, and by her accent alone, she had traveled a long way.
“Excuse the interruption, sir, but we have traveled a long way, and I was told to get here to your keep. My name is Alice, Alice Winterborne.” The lass extended her hand out in greeting, and Gavin accepted.
“I expect it ’tis Lady Alice Winterborne?” he asked.
“Yes, my laird, only, well, I don’t suppose it is anymore. I suppose if you were to know the whole truth, my name used to be Lady Alice Winterborne, but I have left that life behind. For the last almost two years, I have been Lady Alice MacGille.”
Gavin heard Amelia give a sharp intake of breath behind him, and turned to see her hand covering her mouth in pure surprise. Had Amelia not been standing there, he would have sworn he heard the lass wrong. She had said she was Lady Alice MacGille.
“Where is he?” Amelia asked, rushing forward and taking the girl by the arms. Gavin was afraid she was going to shake the girl, but instead, she wrapped her arms around Alice and hugged her tight. “Where is Aithe?” she asked again. Gavin reached out to pull his wife away, but Amelia would not budge. He looked toward Liam and Nathan, who simply shrugged.
“He is in a crofter’s cottage, about two miles back. He is ill and couldn’t go any further. He gave me directions and bade me continue without him. I came to get help from anyone I could. But Aithe insisted that I would find his father here.” Her words came out in a rush as Amelia hugged the girl to her breast. Gavin was speechless. Aithe was alive and in need of help.
“How?” Amelia said, she sounded as shocked as Gavin felt.
“It’s a long story, my lady. Right now, we need to go to him. His fever was great. I cannot lose him, please.”
“Of course, of course. Gavin!” Amelia looked back, giving him a pleading gaze. It was all he needed to snap into action.
“Nathan, Thomas, Liam… get a cart and saddle th’ horses. Meet me at th’ gate. We need tae go, NOW!” he shouted, all the men immediately moving around him. Amelia rushed back to his side.
“Is it true, lass?” he asked. He couldn’t believe the coincidence of their earlier conversation and now this girl arriving at their doorstep, seeming to answer their prayers.
“I believe it is, love,” she replied, threading her arm through his. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I believe the girl is telling the truth, and we must go get our son.”
* * *
“Mrs. MacGille? May I enter?” Alice was confused at first and then realized the name was Aithe’s given name. She still was not accustomed to her own married name, having spent much of her marriage fearing for hers and Aithe’s life.
“Yes, of course, do come in.” She said from the bed. The woman entered and stood just inside.
“I have readied yer bath fer ye. If ye will follow me, I’ll help bathe ye,” Alice stood and followed the woman from the room. They walked down the long hall and went towards a place at the end of it. When the door was opened, Alice was greeted with a puff of steam. It smelled like milk and honey. She could have cried; it felt as if it had been so long since she had a bath. Though she had taken one with Aithe at the inn, she knew she needed another, especially after the last few days of travel. The woman pointed Alice to a partition where she was to remove her dress.
From behind it, Alice handed the woman her dirty and worn-down simple dress.
“Um, will ye be keepin’ this? I also brought ye a new dress, as per the lady of the castle.”
“No, I will not need it again.” She climbed into the bath quickly, without even testing the water first. The heat ran over her skin, and she let out her breath without even realizing she had been holding it in. Alice was exhausted, and being there, in the bathwater with its many perfumes and soaps, she felt as though she could relax… of course, only once she knew Aithe was all right could she really relax. But while her mind still fretted, her body became more at ease in the hot water.
The woman began to wash her back with a soft sponge. Alice could see the dirty water sliding from her skin. How dusty had she been? She realized she had not looked at herself in weeks.
“Thank you for your help,” Alice spoke to the woman who moved on to soaping her hair and brushing it lightly with a comb.
“Of course, dear. Anything fer the wife of Sir Aithe. He’s a good lad that one.”
“Yes, he is,” Alice responded in a light whisper.
“We neva’ thought we’d find him back here. It seems he wasn’t keen on the idea of takin’ over the clan as laird when he left. We are all so happy tae ken he will be comin’ home. Dinnae fash, lass, if anyone can care fer him, his mother will bring him back and get him right as new.” Alice didn’t respond. She was having difficulty processing the news.
Aithe had been expected to take over as laird of the clan? Why hadn’t he mentioned that to her? As soon as the thought entered Alice’s mind, it quickly left. She recalled that it was not her place to ask. Perhaps that was why Aithe had been so protective of his own freedom as part of the marriage. He likely did not want to be laird. Alice hoped he would talk to her about it. But she knew she shouldn’t expect it.
Once the woman had combed through Alice’s many tangles, she helped her step out of the bath. She gave her some fragrant oils to coat her skin, and to help clear up the dry spots she had gained, and then led her back to the bedroom.
In the room, someone had brought a small tray of many fruits, cheeses, salted meats, and potatoes. Next to it was a bowl filled with a delicious smelling soup. Alice didn’t wait to eat and tore into the bread, taking bites of it alongside the sips of soup. She followed it with small nibbles of cheese and dried meats. She didn’t realize until she had started eating, just how famished she was. Knowing there was much for her to eat, she took it all in quickly.
Only once she was full, was she hit with a sudden wave of exhaustion. She moved the tray aside and laid back on the bed. Without meaning to, her eyes drifted shut, and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
When Alice awoke, she quickly jumped up in bed and looked around. She had forgotten about her journey to Cadney, and it took a few minutes for her to realize where exactly she was. She moved the blankets from her legs and stood. Alice walked over to the window and glanced out of it. It was nighttime. The sun had likely set a while ago. She wasn’t sure how long she had slept, but she worried about Aithe. Amelia had agreed to wake her the minute they returned with Aithe, and Alice trusted her. So, she knew they had not returned, but hopefully would by morning.
After resting a bit and having her fill of food, Alice found she was filled with a nervous energy. She began to walk around the room, wearing circles into the ground. Did she genuinely love Aithe? Of course, she loved him in the sense that she cared deeply for him, and loved him as a husband. But did she love him beyond that? Was she hoping for more than just a convenient relationship?
Alice knew the answer, although she was afraid to admit it. Of course, she loved him. Initially, she only wanted to get away from her uncle and the life he had planned for her. When Aithe was willing to rescue her, she appreciated him. The kiss from their meeting was one of longing, grief, and a powerful initial attraction. But in losing him to death and seeing him alive again, she had developed a deep fondness for him. And then, on their journey a year later, she had very clearly fallen in love with him. As she stood in the room, in the darkness of the night, she felt her heart call out to him not merely for fear of him being ill, but because she did not see a future without him. Alice knew then that as soon as Aithe was well enough, she would tell him how she truly felt. She wasn’t going to let herself go into their new life without allowing herself the freedom to unburden herself of emotion.
She knew it had been days since she had left him alone at the cottage, and she worried about the fever. Without her there, he was unlikely to get more water for himself. Why hadn’t she thought to bring him more? Why hadn’t she left him more food? She should have done more to help him.
But Alice couldn’t think like that. She needed to focus on what she would do when he was here. Because he would return. He would be alright. His mother was there, and she would help get him well again. Alice felt the familiar lack of breath in her chest. Her heart raced and her breathing quickened as she struggled to calm herself down. She needed to will her heart to slow. There was no use in sending herself into a flurry. It would do nothing to help herself or Aithe. Alice moved back to the bed and tried to lay down to rest. Though she knew she would not sleep, she tried to relax her body and will the slumber to come.
* * *
The sunlight streamed in through the open window. Alice had left the curtains drawn so she could rise with the sun and wait for Aithe. She had tossed and turned much of the night, only to fall asleep before the sun began to rise. She awoke with a pang of hunger and much anxiety. Alice stood from her bed and moved to the window. It was a cloudy and gray day, and the fog hung over the loch, casting an eerie look over the land and body of water. Alice wondered if she would ever grow accustomed to looking out from a window and being greeted by the beauty of Cadney. She decided to make it a point never to become accustomed to it, to always embrace and cherish it.
Alice’s attention was caught by something moving in her periphery. In the opposite corner of the window, she looked out and saw the carriage Gavin had left in. Alice gasped. She looked around, tried to see where the stable was located, but knew she wouldn’t be able to. Instead, she turned and ran from her bedroom hoping with all her heart that Aithe was alive and in that cart with them. When she turned out of her bedroom door, she immediately ran down the stairs. When she reached the ground floor, she saw two men carrying Aithe in through the main entrance.
&nb
sp; Alice’s hand went straight to her mouth, and she let out a little whimper. Aithe’s mother rushed to her, “Do not worry, lassie. Aithe is okay. He needs a good deal of time to rest and many more herbs. But I am going to take care of him, and he will live.” She turned before Alice could respond and rushed after Aithe as they carried him past her up the stairs into one of the adjacent rooms.
Alice followed them into the room. She wondered for a brief moment if she should give them space, but ultimately refused. Aithe was her husband. She was in love with Aithe. She knew that then, and as his wife, she had every right to be in there, doing whatever she could to help and hovered in the doorway until Amelia spotted her.
“You’ve come to help, Alice?” She asked as she laid a hand on Aithe’s forehead. Alice nodded, trying to hold back tears. “Of course, you have. You’re probably worried sick.” Amelia turned to the nearby staff and asked them to bring her fresh buckets of water and to draw a cool bath for Aithe.
